Cole Name Meaning

The name Cole has several possible meanings, and the most popular interpretation is “victorious people.” It can also mean “swarthy,” “charcoal,” or “coal black.”

Origins of the Name Cole

The name Cole is of English origin, derived from the old English nickname “cola,” or “coal,” which meant “swarthy” or “black.” It has been in use as a given name since the Middle Ages, and is also associated with Saint Columba, the 6th century Irish monk who established a monastery on the island of Iona in Scotland.

Popularity of the Name Cole

The name Cole has been consistently popular in the United States since the 19th century, and it currently ranks as the 35th most popular boy’s name in the country. It is also quite popular in Australia, Canada, England, Scotland, and Wales.

Final Thoughts on the Name Cole

So, there you have it: the fascinating story of the name Cole. The name has a long and rich history, several possible meanings, and is currently one of the most popular boy’s names in the English-speaking world. So, if you’re looking for a unique and meaningful name for your son, you can’t go wrong with Cole!

Infographic of Cole name meaning, which is A variant of Cola, Cole is an English name meaning charcoal.
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Cole Name Popularity

How popular is the name Cole? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 — 0 0%
1911 — 0 0%
1912 — 11 0.0022%
1913 — 9 0.0016%
1914 — 12 0.0017%
1915 — 13 0.0014%
1916 — 10 0.001%
1917 — 6 0.0006%
1918 — 8 0.0007%
1919 — 6 0.0006%
1920 — 0 0%
1921 — 5 0.0004%
1922 — 6 0.0005%
1923 — 0 0%
1924 — 7 0.0006%
1925 — 0 0%
1926 — 0 0%
1927 — 0 0%
1928 — 0 0%
1929 — 0 0%
1930 — 0 0%
1931 — 0 0%
1932 — 0 0%
1933 — 0 0%
1934 — 0 0%
1935 — 0 0%
1936 — 0 0%
1937 — 0 0%
1938 — 0 0%
1939 — 0 0%
1940 — 0 0%
1941 — 5 0.0004%
1942 — 6 0.0005%
1943 — 0 0%
1944 — 0 0%
1945 — 0 0%
1946 — 0 0%
1947 — 0 0%
1948 — 5 0.0003%
1949 — 5 0.0003%
1950 — 0 0%
1951 — 7 0.0004%
1952 — 5 0.0003%
1953 — 0 0%
1954 — 21 0.0011%
1955 — 25 0.0014%
1956 — 15 0.0008%
1957 — 11 0.0006%
1958 — 34 0.0018%
1959 — 15 0.0008%
1960 — 12 0.0006%
1961 — 44 0.0023%
1962 — 30 0.0016%
1963 — 18 0.001%
1964 — 17 0.001%
1965 — 15 0.0009%
1966 — 16 0.001%
1967 — 8 0.0005%
1968 — 23 0.0015%
1969 — 19 0.0012%
1970 — 46 0.0029%
1971 — 31 0.0021%
1972 — 87 0.0064%
1973 — 87 0.0067%
1974 — 125 0.0096%
1975 — 96 0.0075%
1976 — 85 0.0066%
1977 — 88 0.0065%
1978 — 80 0.006%
1979 — 102 0.0072%
1980 — 235 0.0161%
1981 — 249 0.0169%
1982 — 783 0.0524%
1983 — 1,091 0.0739%
1984 — 1,138 0.0765%
1985 — 1,158 0.0763%
1986 — 1,049 0.0695%
1987 — 980 0.0642%
1988 — 868 0.0557%
1989 — 875 0.0542%
1990 — 1,076 0.0649%
1991 — 1,967 0.1207%
1992 — 2,303 0.1443%
1993 — 2,655 0.1703%
1994 — 3,298 0.2149%
1995 — 3,141 0.2084%
1996 — 3,738 0.2496%
1997 — 5,158 0.3487%
1998 — 5,148 0.344%
1999 — 5,316 0.355%
2000 — 5,926 0.3879%
2001 — 5,740 0.381%
2002 — 6,035 0.4027%
2003 — 5,899 0.3878%
2004 — 5,644 0.3703%
2005 — 5,586 0.3653%
2006 — 5,638 0.3601%
2007 — 5,702 0.3614%
2008 — 5,389 0.3487%
2009 — 5,275 0.3529%
2010 — 4,585 0.3182%
2011 — 4,135 0.2902%
2012 — 3,776 0.265%
2013 — 3,446 0.242%
2014 — 3,422 0.2349%
2015 — 3,490 0.2399%
2016 — 3,583 0.2485%
2017 — 3,446 0.2469%
2018 — 3,327 0.2422%
2019 — 3,069 0.2267%
2020 — 2,692 0.2115%
2021 — 2,816 0.2304%
2022 — 2,603 0.1973%
2023 — 2,352 0.1817%

Alaska (AK)

Alabama (AL)

Arkansas (AR)

Arizona (AZ)

California (CA)

Colorado (CO)

Connecticut (CT)

District of Columbia (DC)

Delaware (DE)

Florida (FL)

Georgia (GA)

Hawaii (HI)

Iowa (IA)

Idaho (ID)

Illinois (IL)

Indiana (IN)

Kansas (KS)

Kentucky (KY)

Louisiana (LA)

Massachusetts (MA)

Maryland (MD)

Maine (ME)

Michigan (MI)

Minnesota (MN)

Missouri (MO)

Mississippi (MS)

Montana (MT)

North Carolina (NC)

North Dakota (ND)

Nebraska (NE)

New Hampshire (NH)

New Jersey (NJ)

New Mexico (NM)

Nevada (NV)

New York (NY)

Ohio (OH)

Oklahoma (OK)

Oregon (OR)

Pennsylvania (PA)

Rhode Island (RI)

South Carolina (SC)

South Dakota (SD)

Tennessee (TN)

Texas (TX)

Utah (UT)

Virginia (VA)

Vermont (VT)

Washington (WA)

Wisconsin (WI)

West Virginia (WV)

Wyoming (WY)

Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Cole

If you like Cole, you’ll love these other names like Cole.

What names are variants of Cole?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Cole.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Coley

Swarthy, coal-black, charcoal

French

Colson

Swarthy, coal-black, charcoal

French

What names sound like Cole?

If you like how Cole sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Cole.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Cale

Dog

English

Col

Young creature

Scottish

Coll

High

Gaelic

Colle

Young creature

Scottish

Coyle

Leader in battle; follows the battle

Irish

What names are similar to Cole?

Find a name that’s like Cole, but just a little bit different.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Colbert

Renowned, bright, famous

German

Colin

Cub

English

Lists With Cole

Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Cole.

Siblings of Cole

Mamas with kids named Cole also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Rory

Red king

Irish

Camden

Valley

English

Areli

Golden

Latin

Cadin
Ashlyn

Dream

Irish

Chai

Living, vital

Hebrew

Cooper

Barrel maker

English

Calvin

Hairless one

English

Annalise

Created name

German

Aria

Vocal solo

English

11 Comments

  1. Cole is my husbands middle name. We didn’t necessarily want a junior because we thought it might get confusing, but it’s our way of naming him after his dad without having double. This was a pretty easy choice for us because we wanted our first child’s name to have meaning behind it. And although all names have meaning as to why parents choose them, this just feels like a special way to honor my husband as well as choose a name we both loved!

    Reply

  2. My husband had picked out the name “Cole” before we were even engaged. I thought he got it from the movie, “Mr. Holland’s Opus” but he actually got it from the movie, “Days of Thunder.” I love the name because it means “Victory of the People.” I always thought that my Cole would defend those who could not defend themselves. He became a Marine and has that type of character.

    Reply

  3. This name reminds me of the story about how my great grandpa got completely destoryed by a bomber plane in the vietnam war!! 😀

    Reply

  4. On july 28, 2025, the fog of inconceivable terror will come. Be ready to take shelter as the grimlins will find you

    Reply

  5. On july 28, 2025, the fog of inconceivable terror will come. Be ready to take shelter as the grimlins will find you

    Reply

  6. Our son Rory came up with the name Cole while I was pregnant and was very intent on using it. My husband and I could t come to an agreement on a name and baby was no name for days in the hospital. When his brother came to meet him he immediately started calling him Cole and then the nurses did. We ended up loving how it sounded and it suits him. As Rory says, we are brothers even in the stars. I know these two were meant to be together because they had an instant bond.

    Reply

  7. My six year old son named him after a friend’s brother and our mailman ?

    Reply

    • KYS!!! I named mine after a suicide cancer patient

      Reply

  8. Me and my husband agreed on it. I like the name.

    Reply

  9. It’s the only name my husband and I could remotely agree on. I still don’t like the way the name looks, but I love how it sounds and the little boy who embodies it!

    Reply

  10. I wanted something unique but not weird, and a name you don’t hear every day.

    I love the name Cole because it’s short and sweet but I don’t like when people say “Cole? Like what Santa gives you when your bad?”…

    And my mother’s maiden name is Coles, so I thought it was nice to give him a name that connected him to his grandmother in a way.

    Reply

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